With the demise of the train, a  number of the original California Zephyr cars were sold to Mexican railroads. Most, unfortunately, have been scrapped, although some have survived, at least for now. The future, however, doesn't look bright for these cars. 

Here is a listing graciously provided by Jon Clark of the cars that went to Mexico, and their new names and numbers (listed by CZ road name and number).

Road & # Name Origin Type Comments
SCD 641 Grenada DRGW 1130, S. Pass 10-6 Believed scrapped 11/00
SCD 642 Sevilla DRGW 1131, S. Summit 10-6 Listed for sale by FNM in 1999; possibly headed for the Merida Museum.
SCD 643 Zaragoza DRGW 1132, S. Gorge 10-6 Believed scrapped 11/00
SCD 644 Valladolid DRGW 1133, S. Creek 10-6 Stored out of service on shop trucks late 80's, listed for sale by FNM in '99, believed scrapped late '00 (See note below)
SCD 645 La Coruna DRGW 1134, S. Glacier 10-6 Believed scrapped late '00
SCD 646 Bilbao DRGW 1135, S. Gull 6-5 Believed scrapped 11/00
SCD 1375 El Azteca WP 842, S. Platter Diner Scrapped approx 1993
SCD 282 Lago Chapultepec WP 851, S. Crane 6-5 Believed scrapped 11/00
SCD 281 Lago Texcoco WP 852, S. Swallow 6-5 Believed scrapped in 1998
FCP 1974 [None] WP 861, S. Arroyo Coach ex FCP  280 Lago Patzcuaro, converted  from 10-6 to coach by FCP at unknown date
SCD 279 Lago Chapala WP 863, S. Mountain 10-6 Stored out of service with fire damage by the late 80's - presumed scrapped.
SCD 634 Valencia WP 864, S. Palisade 10-6 Believed scrapped 11/00
SCD 635 Cataluna WP 865, S. Range 10-6 Believed scrapped 11/00
SCD 636 Murcia WP 866, S. Bay 10-6 Believed scrapped 11/00
SCD 637 Andalucia WP 867, S. Surf 10-6 Believed scrapped 11/00
NdeM 108 Chihuahua WP 882, S. Planet Obs Now privately owned, possibly to return to the US.
Note regarding the Valladolid: There is some confusion surrounding this car. One report is that the S. Creek became NdeM Guadalajara, and has since passed into private hands. Yet another report is that the Valladolid was save and moved to the San Luis Potosi Railroad Museum. We'd love to hear from anyone who can clarify this.

In August, 1999, we heard from Ricardo Hernandez-Lecanda who reported "If the name is Valladolid, take for sure is an ex-California Zephyr car. All the cars with names from Spanish cities as Valladolid, Salamanca, Valencia, Granada, etc. were from the Denver and Rio Grande Western. They were 10-6 sleeper cars and they were very unusual because of the shape of the roomette beds, which make the porters from SCD, (Servicio de Coches Dormitorios y Conexos) call them "camas de violin" (violin beds). I have the chance to trip a lot in this cars in the Regiomonmtano and Tapatio." In a follow-up message, he wrote, "I understand that Canada and Bajio are not California Zephyrs. Mexico had another kind of 10-6 sleepers from the New York Central, also streamlined as the California Zephyrs, but with normal berths."

Juan Viladrosa of Silver Creek International graciously sent us the photos below of ex-US cars in Mexico. Some are ex-CZ, others are not. Those we've ID'd as ex-CZ are noted. If you have knowledge of the origin of any of the others, please email us. 
 


Sleeper La Coruña (ex DRGW S. Glacier) as seen in a Huehuetoca scrap yard.  Believed scrapped 11/00.
  
Sleeper Zaragoza (ex DRGW S. Gorge) as seen  in a Huehuetoca scrap yard. Now scrapped.
Sleeper Sevilla (ex DRGW S. Summit) as seen in Buena Vista, Mexico.  Currently for sale.

Sleeper Valladolid (ex DRGW S. Creek?) as seen in a Huehuetoca scrap yard. Fate unknown, possibly to a museum, possibly scrapped.
   
Sleeper Valladolid as seen in El Regiomontano during her final run.
Sleeper Liberia (not CZ), currently for sale.

Sleeper Madrid (not CZ) as seen in a Huehuetoca scrap yard. 
Sleeper Opal (not CZ) as seen in a Huehuetoca scrap yard.  Now scrapped.
   		 
Sleeper Culiacan (not CZ), now scrapped.

Sleeper Aragon (not CZ) as seen in Pantaco, Mexico. 
Currently for sale.
Sleeper Barcelona (not CZ) as seen in a Huehuetoca scrap yard.  Now scrapped.

 
 
 

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